Horse Fly Rugs

You wouldn’t want to be pestered constantly by flies or to endure their painful bites. Your horse doesn’t either. Quite apart from the pain and irritation, flies are carriers of many unpleasant and serious diseases and so it is crucial to protect your horse. If you are trying to decide whether or not to invest in a fly rug then here’s the lowdown on the potential hazards of flying insects.

Horse Flies, Blowflies and Screwworms

Horseflies really pack punch as they literally tear the flesh in order to feed on blood. The bites are certainly nasty and the flies may be carrying equine infectious anaemia, anthrax or contagious conjunctivitis. The bites can also lead to dermatitis, skin eruptions, lesions, abrasions, scabbing, fungal diseases and hair loss. To make matters worse the wounds are the perfect places for blowflies and screwworm flies to lay their eggs. When the larvae hatch they will feed on the horse’s tissues and this can be deadly.

Botflies and Gnats

Botflies use horses as hosts for their eggs and lay them in areas which the horses can reach with their mouths. This means that eggs and larvae can be ingested after which they will attach to the horse’s stomach wall. Meanwhile gnats will bite horses causing them to toss their heads and to rub the affected area. These bites also contain a toxin which can lead the horse to suffer cardiac arrest or respiratory depression.

Houseflies and Botflies

Flies don’t have to bite to be problematic. Neither houseflies or botflies bite but both are major irritants. They will feed on horses’ eye, nose and mouth secretions, infecting the horses with the diseases that they carry.

Flies can also cause horses to stomp which presents the risk of injury and the loosening of their shoes. All flies are a serious problem which should never be ignored or underestimated. One of the best ways to tackle the issue is the provision of a horse fly rug or fly sheet. These comfortable sheets do not impede movement but provide excellent protection from all flying insects.

At Equi Supermarket we have an outstanding range of horse fly rugs which we have selected from the much admired Mark Todd, Masta, Weatherbeeta and Bridleway collections. You will also find exceptional fly sheets from Horseware Ireland’s Amigo and Rambo collections. Our high quality fly rugs and combo fly rugs protect you horse in the summer months when the flies are active but ensure that your horse remains cool. Our fly sheets are available in a variety of sizes with something to suit all horses. Which fly rug will you choose?